Kendra didn’t know how all this had happened. She stood in front of a mirror and adjusted her clothing. She was wearing ant chitin armor. It acted like plate mail armor. It was very durable and difficult to pierce.

Her mind wandered back to the time after her disastrous attempts to explore the tree.

She had awoken to the most enticing smell she had ever smelled. It curled around her and teased her. She could almost see the smell wafting through the air. She awoke and began to search for the source. In her mind, it reminded her of her grandma’s apple pie. She missed her grandma. She had died years before. Kendra had tried to learn how to cook from her grandma but she just wasn’t talented in that area. It was a regret she had.

Without thought she followed the smell. The source was always just out of reach. Before she knew it, she was in the tree. By herself. Finally the danger she was in managed to snap her from her reverie. But by then it was too late, she was already in the tree and surrounded by ants. She tried to retreat but a group behind her blocked her exit. She thought about attacking but she hadn’t brought any weapons with her. She wasn’t even wearing her armor. She was well and truly borked.

The ants crowded around her, waving their arms. These silly little bugs were herding her. She was indignant to be treated in such a fashion. The ants were herding her deeper into the tunnels. The tunnels had a strange blue glow. There was no obvious source for the light. The light pulsed and flickered. Shadows moved and writhed across the floor to the ceiling. It was a mesmerizing effect.

She was finally led into a gallery filled with eggs. The eggs glowed in different colors. Blue and red were the predominant colors. Different shades flowed and coruscated over the eggs. Sitting in the center of the room was the largest ant she had ever seen. The ant chittered at her. It stopped. It seemed like it was waiting for a response.

“Hello.” Kendra tentatively said as she waved her hand in a lazy arc. The ant chittered and clacked some more. They both waited. A smaller ant came into view. The smaller ant appeared to be carrying a box in its mandibles. The ant moved slowly forward and stopped half way between the big ant and Kendra. The ant placed the box on the ground and slowly moved away.

Noone moved for a few moments. Finally the large ant extended a fore claw and pointed at the box. Kendra seemed to get the idea. She cautiously moved towards the box and opened it. Inside was a glowing fruit. It was the same fruit Jason and Kendra had tried to acquire. It felt like an eternity had passed but in reality it had only been a few weeks.

It seemed like she was being offered the fruit. She cautiously took it. She thought about just putting it in her pocket and leaving but something told her she was supposed to eat it right then and there. She tentatively took a small bite. A burst of sweet juice ran into her mouth. It was the most delicious thing she had ever eaten in her life. A warm feeling began to spread from her mouth and down her body. She could feel something traveling through her.

“Hello Human.” A voice echoed in her head. “Would you like to make a deal?” The voice whispered.

Yeah, she was really borked.